Did you miss it? Toyota has just officially launched the all-new Innova. Judging by how many people took the time to read our article, then chances are you’ve already seen this.
But regardless of whether or not you have, we know a lot of you have the same question: “What changes are we looking at here?” Apart from the obviously new design that we’ve been seeing from numerous teasers prior to the launch, there are quite a few that are worth noting. With that, we’ve listed here five of the key changes with this all-new model.
1) The new platform
Out of all the changes in the new Innova, this has to be one of the biggest yet. Toyota’s IMV triumvirate is no more, as this MPV is no longer underpinned by the same platform as the Fortuner and Hilux. Instead, the next-generation Innova sits on the TNGA-C chassis, the same one that the Corolla Altis and Cross use. We expect this new model’s ride to be way better than before.
In addition to this new platform, the Innova also gets a new front-wheel-drive layout. The FWD setup, we assume, was used to enable even better fuel efficiency down the line. That should be good news for motorists in Metro Manila.
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2) The new hybrid powertrain
Along with the new platform, the all-new Innova gets a major overhaul under the hood. Toyota has dumped the old turbodiesel options for a 2.0-liter gasoline engine churning out 172hp and 205Nm of torque and a new 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain consisting of a gasoline engine and an electric motor that together produces a total of 184hp.
The hybrid engine is the big news here. Not only is it a new setup—it’s far different from the ones found on the Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross, and RAV4 Hybrid—but it also marks the start of the electrification of the famed Innova nameplate. It was only a matter of time.
3) The gearbox options
Or the lack thereof, to be honest. For this new generation, Toyota has decided to drop both the manual ’box and the six-speed automatic transmission. Instead, it has fitted the Innova with a 10-speed CVT to go along with the new gasoline and hybrid configurations. Seeing as even the Avanza got a new CVT, this particular change for its bigger MPV sibling really doesn’t come as a big surprise.
4) The fresh exterior
The previous Innova didn’t look that dated, but we still agree with what Toyota has done here. The new honeycomb-like design on the grille which can also be found on the Corolla Cross along with those Fortuner-like plastic trim underneath gives the Innova a much more macho-looking front fascia. There are new 16-inch alloy wheels, too, with designs varying depending on the variant.
Now, while the physique of the MPV seems to remain the same, this new model’s actually slightly bigger than before. It measures 4,755mm x 1,850mm x 1,795mm. It’s just as tall as its predecessor, but it’s 20mm longer and wider.
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5) The revamped interior
As we’ve seen in one of the teasers, the new Innova does have a much better cabin than the old model. It can be spec’d with brown leather on the dash and the side panels, and with a panoramic sunroof up top to boot. What’s more, the captain seats on the top-of-the-line variants now also have leg rests for added comfort.
In terms of space, though, we can’t say for sure if the bigger dimensions, new platform, and new FWD layout have translated to a roomier interior. We won’t rely on the numbers solely—we’ll just wait for the model to arrive here before we make any conclusions.
6) The added tech
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 features have finally made their way to the Innova. This includes forward-collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure alert with lane-tracing assist, and dynamic radar cruise control. When this new model eventually lands in our market, we hope Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) retains this suite of safety tech for the MPV.
There are new gadgets inside the cabin, too. A 10-inch infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster, and a wireless charger have been added to the package, with availability depending on the variant.
So, which upgrades would you like to see in the Innova once it arrives here in our market? The comments section is open.
More photos of the all-new Toyota Innova 2023:
